Wondering which are the largest beer brewing companies in the world? This industry has only continued to grow since the very first companies started brewing beer on a large scale. Indeed, there is no doubt that most everyone loves to have a cold glass of beer every once in a while. Moreover, over the past decades, new markets have appeared and developed, helping increase the amount of consumers around the world. And in fact, the largest brewing companies span from North America to Europe and Asia. Currently, China is the world’s biggest beer market, and its beer production accounts for more than 25% of the beer produced throughout the world.
Brewing companies usually have different brands. For example, Anheuser-Busch InBev, Heineken, SABMiller and Carlsberg together control 70% of the nearly $150 billion global beer market. Indeed, it’s no news that the beverage industry is one of the largest out there, along with the restaurant industry as well. Some Quick Service Restaurants (QSR) such as Starbucks, Subway or McDonald’s have grown to have stores all over the globe, and currently produce billions of dollars in revenue each year. The 10 Biggest Fast Food Chains In the World aren’t big only in the United States, but have spread to eastern markets as well.
We have compiled a list featuring the largest beer brewing companies in the world according to their last reported volume of sales. Some of these companies have different brands. For example, Anheuser Busch/In-Bev brews more than 300 beers, including labels such as Budweiser, Beck’s, and Stella Artois. Emerging markets within Asia and Eastern Europe have increased the production among these areas. Currently among the top ten beer brewing companies, three of them are Asian: the Chinese firm China Resource Snow Breweries Ltd., Asahi Breweries and Tsingtao Brewery Co. Ltd. make it into the top ten.
Now then, sit back with a refreshment and check out our list on the ten largest beer brewing companies in the world and find out which companies are the best-selling within this thirst-quenching industry.
No. 10 Boston Beer Company (NYSE:SAM)
Production per year: 2.93 million hectoliters
This company was founded in 1984 in Boston, Massachusetts, as Samuel Adams Beer. The company has achieved massive growth within the past few years, and recently reported $793.7 million in revenue for its 2013 fiscal year.
Keep reading on the next pages to find out which are the largest beer brewing companies in the world.
No. 9 D.G. Yuengling & Sons Inc.
Production per year: 4.09 million hectoliters
This company was established in 1829 and is the oldest operating brewing company in the U.S. Currently headquartered in Pennsylvania, the company is in private hands. It has been producing an approximate number of 2,500,000 barrels of beer each year.
No. 8 Asahi Breweries Ltd.(TYO:2502)
Production per year: 24 million hectoliters
This company is currently Japan’s largest beverage company. It has had a 0.4% sales increase in its alcoholic beverage segment over the past year, and continues to rise. As of January 2014, Asahi Breweries had a 38% market share and was the largest of the four major beer producers in Japan.
No. 7 Tsingtao Brewery Co. Ltd.(SEHK: 168)
Production per year: 60 million hectoliters
Tsingtao is China’s second largest brewery. It was founded in 1903, and is currently headquartered in Qingdao, Shandong. Tsingtao Brewery Co. has undergone important growth over the past years: the company reported revenue of $4.6 billion (28.3 billion RMB) for its 2013 fiscal year.
No. 6 Pabst Brewing Co.
Production per year: 101 million hectoliters
This American company was founded in 1844 by Jacob Best, and named after Frederick Pabst. It is currently regarded as a hipster staple, but has grown substantially over the past years. Pabst Blue Ribbon is the main beer brand of Pabst Brewing Company. Recently, on September 18, 2014, American entrepreneur Eugene Kashper and private equity firm TSG Consumer Partners entered an agreement to acquire Pabst Brewing Company from C. Dean Metropoulos & Co.
No. 5 China Resource Snow Breweries Ltd. (CR Snow)
Production per year: 106.2 million hectoliters
Based in China, this company is the result of a merger between SABMiller and China Resources Enterprise, now known as CR Snow. Chinese Resources has been around since 1993, dominating the Chinese market ever since. After the joint venture, the company is currently producing about 5.4% of the total world’s beer production. “Snow Beer” is the main brand for CR Snow Brewery, and it is currently sold all over the world, although the Chinese market is still the largest.
No. 4 Carlsberg Group (CPH:CARL-A)
Production per year: 120.4 million hectoliters
Based in Denmark, Carlsberg was founded in 1847 by J.C Jacobsen. The company has become one of the largest brewing companies in the world, selling under different brands such as Tuborg and Kronenberg. Carlsberg currently produces 120.4 million hectoliters per year, which accounts for about 6.2% of the world’s beer production.
No. 3 Heineken N.V. (AMS:HEIA)
Production per year: 171.7 million hectoliters
This Dutch company has been brewing since 1864. Its founder, Gerard Adriaan Heineken, began to produce the pale lager, and the company hasn’t stopped expanding and growing since. Currently Heineken International owns over 190 breweries in over 70 countries, and produces 8.8% of the world’s beer.
No. 2 SABMiller plc (LON:SAB)
Production per year: 190 million hectoliters
SAB was founded as Castle Brewery in 1895, and when in 1956 it bought Ohlssons and Chandlers Union Breweries, it finally turned into SAB, South African Breweries. During 2002, SAB purchased The Miller Brewing Company and became SABMiller. The company now holds more than 150 brands, with beverages such as Carling Black Label, Castle, and Grolsch, and operates in more than 75 countries across the globe. With an annual production of about 190 million hectoliters, SABMiller’s production represents 8.8% of the world’s total beer production. Moreover, the company is committed to being “green”, and has developed lightweight bottles containing 30% less glass than regular ones.
No. 1 Anheuser Busch Inbev SA (EBR:ABI)
Production per year: 352.9 million hectoliters
AB InBev is the top beer producer in the world. The company has over 200 beer brands, with very popular brands such as Budweiser, Bud Light, Beck’s, Skol, and Stella Artois, among others. The company is based in Belgium, and was founded by soap salesman, Eberhard Anheuser in 1860. In 2002 after much negotiation, the company merged with InBev. The Anheuser-Busch InBev Company is today the largest brewer, producing about 18.1% of the world’s beer.
